One of my devotions for today truly struck a chord in my heart. It considers our enemies or those who oppose God's plan, and helps us to better respond, or understand the challenges that might be presented as we work out God's plan. I pray it will minister to you like it did me.





June 17: Learning from Enemies
Ezra 3:1–4:24; 1 John 3:11–18; Psalm 106:16–29

If a new venture is really worth pursuing, it will probably be opposed. Some people will refuse to get on board, and others will intentionally get in the way. While these people may be trying protect their own interests, it’s more likely that they don’t like change—even if it’s for the better.

God’s work among His people is not that different from innovation; after all, He is the Author of all good ideas since all ideas come from His creation. And just like new ventures, God’s work is often rejected. The difference between new ventures and God’s work, though, is that all people who oppose God’s work are opposing Him, their Creator; they’re choosing to put their own interests before His interests, which are only for good.

Jeshua and Zerubbabel faced this type of opposition in the book of Ezra. After they had restored worship in Jerusalem, they began to organize the effort to lay the foundation of the temple—the place where God’s people were meant to worship. Then, the unexpected happened: Enemies arrived and began to cause trouble (Ezra 3:1–4:5). We often view such people as hateful, but in reality they were acting in their own interests. These enemies likely didn’t realize the land they claimed as their own had been stolen from God’s people in the first place; they probably thought they were protecting what was rightfully theirs (compare Ezra 4:6–16; see 2 Kgs 24–25).

This is often the case in our lives as well: We think we’re doing what’s legally or morally right, but we may actually be opposing God’s work. Sometimes trying to act rightly can lead us to do the wrong thing. Rather than insisting on what seems or feels right, we must pause to pray about it. We must ask God what He is really doing. And if God is working through someone else, we need to step out of the way. He is innovating—are we willing to innovate with Him?

In what ways is God innovating around you? How does He want to use you in this process? In what areas should you step aside to let His work happen?

JOHN D. BARRY


Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012). Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

I was so surprised to find out about the shootings in Orlando after our services this morning. My concentration was on preparation for our services and I was not aware of the brutal killings in Orlando ( The same city where we are privileged to have our bible college ). ​Instead, I was focusing on the message I had on my heart which the God had led me to minister. The title of which was  " Power, Pride And  Prejudice = A Blind Heart To The Truth About Us. "

In my message today considering David and Bathsheba, in addition to our gospel passage about the woman who opened the alabaster box. I painted a picture of the poison of excessive Power, Pride and Prejudice. All of which can touch the heart of any believer no matter their financial position or status in the community at large. The fact that hatred and prejudice seems to have caused the heart of the shooter in Florida to carry out this demonic act. Is a sober reminder of what happens when Power, Pride and Prejudice get in the way of a balanced worldview. Something each believer should be careful of in examining their heart in the light of God's Word, and the illuminating force of the Holy Spirit.

All we at FBC want to lift up the city of Orlando and all those affected by this blatant disregard of human dignity. The loss of life is tragic and this sort of violence should not be tolerated by our society whatsoever. How or why it all happened is unclear in many ways. However, I pray our Lord comforts hearts, and grants us wisdom in the days ahead. Giving us hope for the future, that this type of behavior will dissipate rather than accelerate in the years to come.

To the students following along in the Short Courses series on Moses. I ask for your forgiveness as I am a week late on the Fifth Lesson Audio. I was able to finish of the prep question audio, but have had no time make the next recording. I do hope to do so shortly. Many of you have been sending in your quiz answers, which I will catch up on as well. The first exam will be after the six lesson. There will be two. One after the sixth lesson, and the other on our final 12th or 13th lesson in the series.

Some of you also have been requesting to be part of the Focus Bible College forum. I have approved some and will make sure I am caught up on that as well. One more busy weekend travelling after this weekend. However, after that I should be settled in till my Tennessee trip to see my girls in July. 

Blessings to all of you participating in the course.